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The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and Robben Island Management appeared before the Western Cape Provincial Parliament’s Standing Committee on Economic Opportunities, Tourism and Agriculture on Monday (October 8), to brief the committee on the implementation of the recommendations made in the investigative report issued by SAMSA on the Robben Island ferry incident that occurred on September 15, 2017.
Beverley Schäfer, MPP, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Economic Opportunities, Tourism and Agriculture said: “I welcome the recommendations adopted by Robben Island to its ferry services following the incident, and I am pleased to see that the island’s management has taken the matter so seriously.”
Schäfer went on to welcome and highlight the following adoptions:
- All Robben Island passenger vessels from now on will communicate with Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) on current weather and swell data.
- Passenger lists will now be available on every vessel leaving Nelson Mandela Gateway and the island.
- ‘Mystery shoppers’ have been appointed to monitor safety briefings on the vessels.
- Robben Island Museum and TNPA have agreed on a reporting protocol, notified of all departures and passenger numbers per trip.
- Two harbourmasters have been appointed to monitor weather and carry out audits.
- Regular training and drills have been conducted with staff members on life raft deployment and evacuation.
Schäfer commended SAMSA for issuing fines to both the owners and skipper of Thandi, the ferry in last year’s incident, and for hosting a Passenger Vessel Safety Indaba focusing on the call to prevent loss of life and rescue with the industry.
The sentiment was echoed by Western Cape Premier Candidate and Provincial Minister of Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde: “Robben Island is an important tourism icon in the Western Cape and forms an integral part of our plans to develop a Madiba heritage route in the province. I am pleased to see that Robben Island has implemented all the recommendations made in the report, and hope that they will be able to provide a safe, reliable and educational tourism experience going forward, especially as we approach the busy tourism season.”
While Robben Island has discontinued the use of the Thandi, and taken a decision not to use under 25 Gross Tons (GT) vessels as passenger vessels as a precaution, the committee is concerned about the lack of legislative regulation specifically addressing the allowed number of standing and seated passengers on these vessels. “SAMSA currently recommends that these vessels should be restricted in passenger numbers, however this enabling legislation is lacking as it is merely a recommendation,” added Schäfer, who will be writing to the National Minister of Transport, Blade Nzimande, to raise concerns based on SAMSA’s recommendations made to the committee, and to fast track legislative certainty for under 25GT vessels.
“I will also raise with the Minister the severe personnel shortage within SAMSA which hampers its operational capacity in the Western Cape. Until the necessary legislation is clarified, Robben Island Museum will no longer contract small vessels under 25GT to operate as passenger vessels to Robben Island,” concluded Schäfer.
Source: tourismupdate.co.za